CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study

        There are three basic fundamental needs of every man and woman which are food, clothing and shelter. The basic function of building is to provide shelter from harsh climatic conditions (sun and rain, heat and cold), external aggressions (protection from animals and attacks from humans), privacy and storage of possession. Hence, buildings are meant to protect man against harsh climatic conditions (Otegbulu, Osagie and Afe, 2011, Ajibola, 2001 and Glavic and Lukman, 2007). A building cannot be built without a fundamental knowledge of the building materials and the determinant factors (thermal performance, strength, cost etc.) that lead to the choice of one material over another (Runfolaa et al; 2013 and Bodalal, Zhang and Plett, 2000). A building material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, sand, wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves have been used to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products are in use, some more and some less synthetic. The manufacture of building materials is now an established industry in Nigeria and the use of these materials is typically segmented into specific specialty trades, such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, roofing and insulation work. Building design and material properties influence the thermal performance and energy consumption for residential and commercial buildings. Different building materials have different thermal performance levels.

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
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